Only a referendum can delay polls: Prof GL Peiris

SLPP dissident MPP Prof. G.L. Peiris says that there was no other means to further delay the upcoming local government polls but only holding a referendum where people should vote approving the postponement.Addressing a press conference in Colombo last week, Prof Peiris said that the Supreme Court in a previous judgment has held a referendum that must be held if Local Government elections are to be postponed.

“The Supreme Court has clearly set out that a referendum is mandatory to delay elections,” he said.

He saifd the Supreme Court has delivered several landmark judgements relating to Local Government elections and that the polls therefore must be held before 20 March.

“According to the law, in order to establish the 340 local governments across the country before March 20, the election must be held at the end of February or the beginning of March,” Peiris said.

“If the Government takes any step to postpone elections, we will express our concerns and raise an alarm on the harm being caused to the country’s democracy before the international community,” the MP said.

Notices calling for nominations for 340 local government bodies were released by district secretaries on Wednesday. The nominations would be accepted between January 18 and 21, the National Election Commission said. A date for the polls would be announced a week thereafter.

The elections for local councils in the country have been postponed since March last year.The announcement of nomination dates came as Opposition parties expressed doubts over the government’s intention to hold the election.

“The government is trying their best not to hold it. But a postponement can only be done through a referendum,” Prof Peiris said.